Camille Johnston’s day starts by walking through the East Wing doors of the White House.

It’s always a highlight since she passes by the enthusiastic eyes of inquisitive tourists, eager for every morsel of information about President Barack Obama and past presidents.

Johnston, 41, is loving her gig as the communications director for First Lady Michelle Obama, a job she started in January. This line of work differs greatly from her past duties as the senior vice president for communications for the Dodgers. She was the main spokesperson for the Dodgers from 2005-07, and she was quite vocal since she took over during a turbulent time for the McCourt ownership. Johnston, a UCLA graduate who grew up in La Crescenta, has always been a Dodgers fan.

She’s not new to the political world either, as she was the director of communications for Tipper Gore when Al Gore was vice president.

But she’s found her niche working for Michelle Obama, one of the most popular women in America.

“It’s quite possibly one of the best jobs you’ll ever have,” Johnston said. “It’s a historic administrator. Michelle Obama is a unique individual with the ability to have a dramatic impact on issues she cares most about. The work you do every day is incredibly rewarding.”

Johnston helps set the First Lady’s schedule and organizes speaking engagements, press releases and other events. She has to say no to requests most of the time, but she says yes to appearances and events that will promote Michelle Obama’s primary causes, like childhood obesity, work/life balance, military families and community service.

The President’s daughters, Sasha and Malia, take first priority and Johnston schedules Michelle Obama’s schedule around them.

Yet Michelle Obama seemingly draws the most coverage for her latest hairstyle, fashion sense, garden, muscular arms and that warm gesture with the Queen of England. Johnston understands the fascination. A picture of Michelle Obama graced MSN.com’s home page on Tuesday since she was named to Vanity Fair’s best-dressed list.

“I wasn’t involved in the campaign, but once I got the job I anticipated the fact that there would be an enormous amount of interest,” Johnston said. “She’s a compelling person with a lot to offer. She has the ability to have a positive impact on things she cares most about and as a result, people feel a connection to her. As a a result, there’s a lot of media interest. I think she’s handled all of it with a genuine good humor, despite things being somewhat silly.”

In her brief tenure working for Obama, the craziest thing Johnston’s dealt with was the hoopla surrounding the acquisition of the First Dog, Bo, a Portuguese water dog. Every tidbit of new information was headline news.

“He’s a very sweet puppy,” Johnston said.

Other than that, staffers don’t really discuss Bo, and they definitely don’t discuss the children. The Obamas are doing their best to keep some things private.

President Obama’s love for baseball, however, is no secret. During the All-Star game last month, Obama threw out the first pitch looking very much like an everyday guy in jeans and a White Sox jacket.

“Baseball is a part of the fabric of America’s life,” Johnston said. “As a result, people are very interested. He threw out the first pitch and sat with the announcers during the game, and I think people like to learn more about their president in those kinds of settings. I think it’s fun for everyone.”

As for the Dodgers, Johnston is keeping her fingers crossed for a World Series title. The last Dodgers championship came in 1988 when Johnston was 20. She believes the Dodgers could have a good shot this year.

“Well, I hope so,” Johnston said. “There are a lot of people there I would be really happy for if they won.”

Johnston is happy on the East Coast, but she certainly misses California, where most of her family resides, including her mom, Yvonne; and father, Pat. Yvonne moved Johnston into her new place since Johnston didn’t have time.

She also misses her daily trips to the Starbucks at the corner of Olympic and Crescent Heights, where she was once named customer of the week and treated to free coffee. She talked to regulars Dave and Enoch about the Dodgers for a few minutes each day around 8:30 a.m.

Enoch is an artist, and he made Johnston a painting of the No. 44, signifying Barack Obama as the country’s 44th president. Johnston has the painting in her White House office.

“I didn’t stay long, but I went through there every day for two years,” Johnston said. “I keep in touch with them. They didn’t believe Barack Obama would be elected president. I walked in there every day and told them it would happen. I still keep in touch with them. They’ll tell me to tell the president to keep it up. One of my favorite memories is being part of that community.”

And no doubt the White House community will be one of her favorites someday, too.

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